Self-care, support, and stress awareness
April is Stress Awareness Month—a meaningful time to reflect on how stress impacts our well-being and to find supportive ways to care for ourselves and one another. For Sisters4Self-Care Ambassador Erika Parker, this isn’t just a seasonal message—it’s a lifelong mission rooted in community strength, daily intention, and holistic wellness.
“You cannot pour from an empty cup!” — Erika Parker
Healing from the inside out
Erika is deeply committed to health advocacy, and her work continues to touch the lives of hundreds on their wellness journeys. Her motto, “start with inside and work your way out,” speaks to a whole-person approach to health—mind, body, and spirit. She understands the pressures faced by the women she serves: juggling roles as daughters, wives, mothers, employees, caregivers, and more. Often, personal health is the first to fall off the list.
Erika stresses, “You have to make time for your health.” To help address these challenges, she builds community and supports the Sisters4Self-Care Thursday Wellness Parties, designed to emphasize and support health.
These weekly wellness gatherings offer more than just a break from routine—they create an encouraging environment where women can recharge, reconnect, and prioritize their health in ways that are joyful and sustainable.
Go Red 365: A year-round source of strength
One of Erika’s favorite initiatives within Sisters4Self-Care is the Go Red 365 Wellness Series, launched each February in recognition of Heart Health Month. This initiative serves as a year-round resource hub, offering knowledge and motivation to help individuals lead healthier lifestyles—key in combating stress-related health issues like hypertension and heart disease.
Erika Parker
Sisters4Self-Care Ambassador
Wellness is a community practice
- Join a support group or community event
- Check in with a wellness partner
- Ask for help—it’s a strength, not a weakness
“You have to make time for your health” — Erika Parker
“You don’t have to navigate stress alone. Whether it’s a support group, a friend, or a wellness initiative like Sisters4Self-Care, finding a safe space to share and grow is essential.” — Erika Parker
Daily habits that make a difference
During a recent conversation, Erika emphasized the importance of recognizing stress early and taking proactive steps to manage it. She shared, “Stress is inevitable, but how we handle it makes all the difference. Small daily habits, like deep breathing, journaling, and regular movement, can be life-changing.”
Erika acknowledges that her own stress levels can rise when she is not proactive in identifying stressors and organizing her many responsibilities and priorities. To address stress, she focuses daily on three key areas:
- Prayer and meditation to center herself
- Physical activity
- Nutritional health
Strength in Togetherness
- Text a friend to check in
- Attend a wellness gathering
- Share your story or listen to someone else’s
Building strength through support networks
She also highlights the significance of community in stress reduction. She encourages people to lean on their support networks and engage in conversations about health. “You don’t have to navigate stress alone. Whether it’s a support group, a friend, or a wellness initiative like Sisters4Self-Care, finding a safe space to share and grow is essential,” she noted.
Take action during Stress Awareness Month
As Stress Awareness Month continues, Erika urges everyone to take simple, intentional steps to prioritize their mental and physical health. Whether it’s joining a wellness challenge, setting aside time for mindfulness, or simply making heart-healthy food choices, every effort counts.
Erika’s dedication to wellness reminds us that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Her work with Sisters4Self-Care and Go Red 365 embodies the movement toward sustained, community-driven health awareness. As she wisely says, “You cannot pour from an empty cup!” This April, let’s take inspiration from Erika and commit to managing stress with purpose and care.
Sisters4Self-Care Website:
Go Red 365:
